The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1887-10-06
TIL IRD DA1
REPORT ON PENSl

The reports OF committees were resumed.
The first in order being the committee on
pensions
They relate their efforts to procure liberal
legislation from congress and the fate Of the
dependent pension bill. The bill was far from
what they wanted, but it at least would have
moved $4,000 veterans from pauper houses.
They call attention to the Mexican pension bill,
far more liberal than the one for pensioning the
soldiers against the rebellion. This bill met the
approval of the president, and they were fairly
stunned when from the same hand came veto
of the measure Of like principle, but inf utesimal
in degree for the veterans of the war against
treason. They appealed to the Grand Army of
the Republic, and the response came from 3OO,
600 members In no uncertain tones. The COM
mittee therefore prepared new pension bill.
This bill makes provision for pensions to all
veterans who or may hereafter be unable to earn
their own are livelihood; for direct con-
tinuance of pensions for widows In their
own right: for an increase of the present pit
lance to minor children and for fathers or
law would at once remove fully / 2. 600 veterans
from aims houses, provide pensions for fully as
many more now dependent upon private charity,
and put into the general pension law, for the
first time, the recognition of the principle that
pensions may be granted to survivors OF the
late war without absolute proof Of disabil-
possible to procure after the lapse of more than
twenty years. The bill Is similar in general
principle to that vetoed, but the Objectionable
pauper clause is omitted, making this di.abil-
tty and not a dependent bill. The result of sub
hitting this bill to the comrades Of the Grand
Army Of the Republic shows that whatever leg
islation some of the comrades desire, they are
practically unanimous for everything contained
in this bill. Any additional legislation is only
to be secured inch by inch after most persistent
effort. Your committee the refore recommends
the continuance of earnest effort in favor of the
following: The bill prepared by this commit
tee, granting pensions to all veterans now dis
abled or in need, to mothers and fathers from
date of dependence; continuance of pensions TO
widows in their own right. and an increase for
minor children: all Of the recommended
pensions for special disabilities -uade in
his recent report by Pension Commissioner
Black: pension Of 81 2 per month to all widows
of honorably discharged soldiers and sailors of
the late war; increased pensions for the severer
disabilities, substantially as presented in the
bill prepared by the United States Manned Vet
Grams league; pensions for the survivors Of
rebel prisons, substantially as presented in the
bill Of the National Association of Prisoners of
War; increased pensions for loss of hearing or
eyesiRht; re-enactment Of the arrear law; an
equitable equalization of bounties; the same
pension for the widow of the representative vol
unteer soldier Of the Union army-John A. Lo-
gan-as is paid TO the widows of those typical
regulars Thomas. the Rock of Chickamauga, and
Hancock, always the superb.
GEN FAIRCHnD APPRECIATED.
The committee ON the annual address Of
the commander-in-chiet endorses the ad-
dress and congratulates Commander in
Chief Fairchild and the Grand Army of the
Republic upon his administration Of the past
year, stating:
The report was unanimously adopted with
three cheers for Fairchild. The department
of Pennsylvania presented to every delegate
and other persons entitled to seats in the
convention memorial bronze medallion of
Gen. Fairchild.
PENS1ONR
The following resolutions were also re-
ported back by the committee:
Resolved, That it is the sentiment Of this en-
campment that the United States government
should furnish to each honorably discharged
soldier, sailor or marine, on application by him
self or through an agent, his medical record as
office at Washington.
Resolved. That this resolution be properly